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Knowledge Base: Diarrhoea in New-Born Calves

5

Mar

2014

For many
suckler herds, spring is calving time and the new crop of calves
will bring their own set of challenges. Newly born calves face many
challenges in their first three weeks of life – one of the most serious (and
common) is diarrhoea.

Calf
Diarrhoea ("Scour")

Scouring
calves are common to most cattle farmers. Diarrhoea in young animals can be
devastating, with progression from vigorous calf, to recumbency and death being
at times rapid, so prompt treatment in all cases is essential.

The major
causes of diarrhoea in young calves are:

Viruses : rotavirus, coronavirus

Bacteria : ETEC (E.coli),
Salmonella

Protozoan (parasite) :
Cryptosporidium

Studies
have shown the most common of these are rotavirus and cryptosporidium,
with ETEC (E.coli) being relatively rare, causing less than 5% of cases. As
vets, we are often asked what the cause of a particular scour is with a view to
a specific cure. However, probably more important
is addressing the factors which allow calves to contract the disease initially
(prevention really is better than cure!)

Hygiene

Cleanliness
in the calving pen is paramount. Calving cows repeatedly in the same
pen without cleaning out, or at least adding a good layer of clean, dry straw
between occupants, is asking for problems.

Outdoor
calving is better still, with cows being moved to the maternity field a few days prior to calving. Ideally, a
few days after calving, the cow and calf should be moved to a "nursery" field.

Hygiene should
extend to calving equipment as well: ropes and calving aids ("calf pullers") should be thoroughly cleaned after each use.
Anybody assisting a calving should also wash hands and arms thoroughly, or wear
arm-length gloves. Calf housing should be clean and dry. Ventilation should be
good, but without draughts. (Remember to get down to calf level to check the
air quality – ventilation close to the ground, below the level of hurdles,
bales and low walls, may be significantly different from the air you are breathing
five or six-feet above).

One area
of hygiene often neglected is that of the dam – faeces encased teats are not a
great place for a new-born calf to suckle!

Colostrum
Intake

Six pints
in six hours!! The first six hours are key as the ability of the calf's
intestine to absorb the large antibody molecules decreases quickly. Aim to
ensure a colostrum intake of 3 litres (six pints) in the first six hours. It is
worth keeping a stock of frozen colostrum in two litre containers ready to give
to any calves you suspect may not have suckled

enough.
Ideally, milk this store of colostrum from your own cows; it will contain antibodies against the diseases
present on your farm. There is currently much concern over the spread of
Johne's disease in cattle through the sharing of colostrum – again, a good reason
for using colostrum from your own cows (ideally of known Johne's
status).Vaccines such as Rotavec afford protection to the calf (via the
vaccinated cow's colostrum) against rotavirus, coronavirus and ETEC (E.coli).

Treatment

Diarrhoea
generally kills calves due to fluid loss. The massive quantities of fluid lost
by a scouring calf causes dehydration and shock. This leads to an electrolyte
imbalance and a serious condition known as metabolic acidosis. The key to
treatment is therefore fluid replacement therapy.

Generally,
if the calf is still standing, then oral fluids should be given. If the calf
will still suck, they should be given from a bucket/bottle and teat, if not
then a suitable calf stomach tube feeder should be used. If the calf is
collapsed, you should call your vet immediately so that intravenous fluids can
be given.

The World Health Organisation described oral rehydration-fluid therapy
(ORT) as the most significant medical advance of the 20th century.
There are a number of ORT products available for calves (e.g. Lectade,
Effydral, Glutalyte), as powders, tablets or gels to add to water or milk.
Generally, in my opinion, and regardless of instructions that come with the
product, it is better to give multiple, small quantities of fluid (little and
often). Additionally, watering down milk
may affect the calf's ability to clot and digest the milk, therefore I would
recommend alternating ORT and milk feeds.

Traditionally,
milk has been withheld from scouring calves, as it will often worsen scouring.
However, starving the gut of nutrients will impair the body's ability to repair
the gut and possibly lead to further damage. Therefore, as long as the fluid loss
associated with diarrhoea is being addressed (through ORT) then milk should
continue to be fed. Studies have shown that the amount and consistency of scour
is a poor indicator of the likely progress of the disease. The most important assessment
you can make of your calf is, "Is he happy?" If at any point the calf becomes depressed and recumbent, then veterinary help
should be sought.

Antibiotics?

As the
majority of calf scours are caused by viruses and protozoal parasites, then
antibiotics will not be of any benefit in the majority of cases. They should be
reserved for cases suspected to be caused by ETEC (E.coli)
or Salmonella. In light of concerns regarding the development of antibiotic
resistance, the practice of routinely giving newly
born calves antibiotics should be actively discouraged.